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Florida Child Advocate.com -- The Florida Foster Care Survival Guide -- is the one-stop resource for protecting the rights of children under the state’s care. We created this site for children, the families who love them, the caregivers who serve them, guardians who advocate for them, and the attorneys who counsel them in how to access resources and agencies, understand their rights, and address dependency, damages or disability claims.

Florida attorneys associated with Florida Child Advocate represent current foster children, former foster children and the physically disabled and developmentally disabled in negligence, abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse, civil rights and damages claims against the Florida Department of Children and Families, its lead agencies and community based care providers, and other child welfare providers. These attorneys have helped recover hundreds of millions of dollars in damage claims in one of the largest and most successful Foster Care and Disabled Persons practice areas in the county.

Many attorneys and child welfare and foster care advocates agree: Such protections will save no money. In fact, there will be a total loss of accountability for these providers’ services. More importantly for children harmed or injured while under the care of these companies or agencies, there will be no claims for damages.

Attorneys for children like Victor Barahona, who was critically injured (while his sister, Nubia, was killed), won’t be able to sue these private providers. Damages would be capped. Meanwhile, Victor’s hospital bills will far exceed any coverage limits.

As the Post wrote, “As the secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families acknowledged this week, 10-year-old twins never should have been adopted by Jorge and Carmen Barahona.

“The DCF was at fault. But so was the private agency that runs foster care and adoption placement in Miami-Dade County. More than a decade ago, Florida privatized those aspects of child welfare under the theme of community-based care. The private, non-profit agencies get state money, and now they want the Legislature to reduce their liability in cases when they fail, as the Dade agency did with the twins, Nubia and Victor.

“The agencies say they need the protection to reduce their insurance costs. But all of the directors of these agencies make more money than the DCF secretary. The agencies claim that the timing of the House and Senate bills isn’t related to the Barahonas’ case. We find that hard to believe. We also don’t believe that the agencies need this protection. They should be blaming their insurance companies. “

Broward County, FL – March 25, 2015 - The Miami Herald- Signs unheeded before Hollywood boy’s cruel death The purple bruises on either side of Ahizya Osceola’s jaw were telltale signs: Someone, a child abuse expert said, had grabbed the 3-year-old’s face forcefully enough to leave fingerprints.

Broward County, FL – March 17, 2015 - Miami Herald- Misconduct found at privately run child-welfare agency Workers at Broward County’s privately run child welfare agency spent so much time doing free work at the Miami-Dade home of their boss that they jokingly called it the “Coral Gables office.”

Gainesville, FL – March 4, 2015 - The Gainesville Sun- Advocate for children As an attorney, Gloria Fletcher was a staunch client advocate. As a champion for the children, she was a zealous child advocate.

Tallahassee, FL – March 3, 2015 - WCTV- Bill Seeks Money for Sexual Abuse Victim A 21-year-old man who was sexually abused as a child is one step closer to receiving 5 million dollars from the Florida Department of Children and Families. The Senate Judiciary Committee today unanimously approved that claims bill.

Tallahassee, FL – February 5, 2015 - News4Jax- Florida lawmakers question training, supervision at DCF Lawmakers are questioning training and supervision at the state's child abuse hotline after the Florida Department of Children and Families acknowledged that it missed at least two opportunities to save a 5-year-old girl who was thrown off a bridge by her troubled father.

Tallahassee, FL – February 4, 2015 - The Tampa Bay Times- Child welfare officials on defensive over child death 'transparency' Florida’s top child welfare officials were on the defensive before a House committee on Wednesday as they defended an annual report on child deaths that had been stripped of data and embarrassing details about the state’s role in failing to protect the children whose lives were lost.

Tallahassee, FL – January 22, 2015 - The Tampa Tribune- Lawmakers grill DCF chief on Jonchuck death In the wake of a death of 5-year-old Phoebe Jonchuck this month, lawmakers Thursday heard from the secretary of the Florida Department of Children & Families about how the case might affect efforts to reform the state’s troubled child-welfare system.

Tallahassee, FL – January 13, 2015 - News4Jax- DCF: No quick fix to child safety issues Florida’s Department of Children and Families says there will be no quick fix in ensuring child safety. The fallout from the deaths of a child and teenager in the past week is prompting change in the agency.

Miami, FL – December 31, 2014 - The Miami Herald- Florida illegally deprived needy kids of healthcare, judge rules A federal judge Wednesday declared Florida’s healthcare system for needy and disabled children to be in violation of several federal laws, handing a stunning victory to doctors and children’s advocates who have fought for almost a decade to force the state to pay pediatricians enough money to ensure impoverished children can receive adequate care.

Miami, FL – December 20, 2014 - The Miami Herald- Transparency Lost: Little disclosure on child deaths In December 2009, the state panel that reviews child abuse deaths released a 179-page report. The document included a detailed analysis of what killed Florida children the year before, dozens of charts and graphs describing both the victims and perpetrators of child abuse, and brief memorials for several of the youngsters whose lives were cut short.

Tallahassee, FL – December 14, 2014 - The Miami Herald- State puts on hold settlement payment to Nubia Barahona’s brother When the state of Florida quietly agreed to pay $5 million to settle a lawsuit over the gruesome death of 10-year-old Nubia Barahona and the torture of her twin brother, Victor, it all but admitted it was at fault.

Port Orange, FL – December 4, 2014 - Daytona Beach News-Journal- Children in peril deserve better When the Florida Department of Children and Families responded to reports of three children in potential danger at a Port Orange home in June, an investigation detailed complaints that the mother drank excessively and sometimes struck the children.

Tallahassee, FL – December 2, 2014 - WUSF News- Scott Urged To Make Interim Secretaries Permanent at DCF, DJJ As he gets ready to start a second term, Gov. Rick Scott will have to choose leaders for the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Both agencies are operating under interim secretaries, and Scott's choice at the Department of Children and Families will be particularly scrutinized.

Jacksonville, FL – November 26, 2014 - News4Jax- Child welfare system looks to institute to help 'steer a course' After months of reports about problems in Florida's child-welfare system, lawmakers this year approved a sweeping reform bill that included establishing an institute to guide state leaders, in part, by evaluating the success of their policies.

Jacksonville, FL – November 18, 2014 - News4Jax- Florida Children's cabinet sets new course Members of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet on Tuesday said they wanted to re-establish the cabinet as a "bully pulpit" for children, with better coordination among the state agencies that serve kids and more political backing from Gov. Rick Scott.

Jacksonville, FL – November 13, 2014 - News4Jax- Doctors concerned over child abuse deaths Doctors and nurses at Wolfson Children's Hospital said they're extremely concerned after dealing with several cases of children dying because of abuse.

Tallahassee, FL– November 2, 2014 - The Tallahassee Democrat- Know how election would affect kids Florida’s child advocates who fight for the rights of at-risk children are not satisfied with where the Florida governor’s race has placed children’s issues on the list of talking points.

Broward County, FL– October 23, 2014 - The Miami Herald- As Broward child wasted away, protectors looked but didn’t see For about nine months, foster care caseworkers and their bosses made 13 visits to the Lauderhill home of Tamiyah Audain, held 30-minute meetings, conferred with other social service workers and filed numerous reports, all of which documented the preteen was in good health. She was actually losing half her body weight and slowly filling with poisons.

Tallahassee, FL– October 22, 2014 - The Daily Business Review- Advocates Say Children's Issues Missing From Campaign Florida children may not be able to vote for governor, but they still have a lot at stake in the race. And as the campaign hurtles to a close, advocates say they're frustrated that the future of the state's youngest residents hasn't played a larger role in the discussion.

Miami, FL– October 15, 2014 - The Tampa Tribune- Scott claim of fewer child abuse deaths questioned Republican Gov. Rick Scott repeatedly tells voters that abused and neglected children are safer under his leadership than when his Democratic opponent Charlie Crist was governor, but an Associated Press examination of that claim shows that campaign claim may be an exaggeration.

Bell, FL– September 24, 2014 - Action News Jax- Bell shooting: Warning signs reported more than a year ago A new report obtained from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office shows a deputy assisted Department of Children and Families interviewing the Spirit family children and their grandmother in early June 2013.

Miami, FL– September 18, 2014 - The Miami Herald- Miami-Dade, Monroe get new DCF chief The Department of Children & Families has appointed a new chief for Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, another change for an agency that has been criticized for failing to protect children from abusive caretakers.

Miami, FL– September 15, 2014 - The Miami Herald- Nubia Barahona’s adoptive sister sues DCF The adoptive sister of Nubia Barahona, the child whose gruesome death while under the care of her adoptive father and mother shook Florida a few years ago, filed a lawsuit on Monday against the Florida Department of Children & Families, a child welfare worker, and two former DCF investigators.

Tallahassee, FL– August 29, 2014 - The Daily Business Review- Child Death Review Panel Sets Ambitious Agenda The state panel charged with reviewing child deaths set an ambitious agenda against a tight deadline in hopes of reducing as many child deaths as possible.

Miami, FL– August 18, 2014 - The Miami Herald- DCF was warned before boy was mauled to death by father's dogs Three years before Javon Dade Jr. was mauled to death by his father’s dogs, state child protection workers were warned about “the smell and danger” of the six “untrained dogs” living in an apartment with Javon’s family.

Naples, FL– July 31, 2014 - The Naples Florida Weekly- Foster Care’s Looming Crisis More children are entering the child welfare system. More foster parents are needed to love these children as their own, then let them go.

Tallahassee, FL– July 26, 2014 - The Florida Times Union- Expert advocates 'baby court' for traumatized infants, toddlers An expert on childhood trauma urged members of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet to promote a “baby court” model in which judges, lawyers and caseworkers put the needs of traumatized infants and toddlers before any other considerations.

Jacksonville, FL– July 26, 2014 - The Florida Times Union- As DCF opens child death data, it still may not be enough The vignettes are stark and the statistics grim, but the depth of a new Department of Children and Families website that tracks child deaths is falling short of some early expectations.

Daytona Beach, FL– July 23, 2014 - The Daytona Beach News-Journal- Help reduce child deaths The Florida Department of Children & Families is committed to reducing child deaths. This is an achievable goal, but we can’t reach it alone. To make progress, we need the community’s help and we need it now.

Tampa Bay, FL– July 9, 2014 - The Tampa Bay Times- Law protecting children requires followup, funding With regard to recent reports about the 477 children who died who were known by the Department of Children and Families to potentially be at risk, the cases all involved the DCF's knowledge from prior investigations of children who would be in danger of future serious harm or death if left with their families.

Tampa, FL– July 8, 2014 - the Tampa Tribune- New child-safety law must be monitored With regard to recent reports about the deaths of 477 children who were known by the Florida Department of Children and Families to potentially be at risk, the cases all involved DCF’s knowledge from prior investigations of children who would be in danger of future serious harm or death if left with their families.

Tallahassee, FL– June 23, 2014 - The Palm Beach Post- Fla. governor signs bill to overhaul child welfare In response to a series of damning media reports about the deaths of children who had contact with the Department of Children and Families before their deaths, Governor Rick Scott signed a law today which strengthens child welfare laws and increases resources to protect children from abuse and neglect.

Tampa, FL– June 20, 2014 - The Tampa Bay Times- Fight scourge of domestic violence Child advocate attorneys like myself often fight in courtrooms and the public realm to protect the rights, health and welfare of Florida's at-risk children. But all too often, the worst abuses go on in places we cannot see or reach — behind a family's closed doors.

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